Does populism have a price?

HFN’s Alan Sacks highlights the economic inequality issue.

Despite the obvious successes of the Israeli business sector – driven by Israel’s extraordinary achievements in the technology arena – there are clearly systemic problems in the economy. There are few who begrudge the sudden wealth of hi-tech entrepreneurs who secure an ‘exit’ for their technology and knowhow. The situation changes though when the disparity between rich and poor is highlighted, and when large sections of the public feel that a limited group of individuals is growing rich at their expense.

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Israel: ‘Early exit’ controversy

Yigal Arnon’s Barry Levenfeld discusses tech sector exits.

Do Israeli companies exit too early? Some, primarily government officials, but also esteemed academics, think so. Israeli technology companies should resist being sold, they say. Instead, the companies should develop into global giants, employ thousands of Israelis – including those without advanced computer science degrees – and thereby enhance their contribution to the Israeli economy. The most recent salvo came from Manuel Trajtenberg, a Knesset member and respected economist, who warned at a conference: ‘The exits we applaud today are a disaster for the state of Israel.’ And then, twisting the knife further, he added: ‘A handful of people grow rich by selling the future of the nation.’

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Abu Dhabi exodus continues as Simmons becomes the latest major firm to pull out

With many major law firms losing money in the Middle East after overinvesting during the oil boom in the 2000s, Simmons & Simmons has followed Latham & Watkins and Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) in shutting down its Abu Dhabi operations.

Simmons carried out ‘a detailed review’ after its losses in the Middle East, which also includes offices in Dubai and Doha, rose from £243,000 in 2014 to just under £2m in the 12 months to 30 April 2015. The closure of the Abu Dhabi office affects five lawyers, including three partners. The firm’s accounts show in total Simmons has 56 staff, including 29 fee-earners and three partners in the Middle East.

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Future UK chief Millar lays out expansion plans as CMS becomes first international firm in Iran

CMS Cameron McKenna‘s incoming managing partner Stephen Millar (pictured) has outlined his key priorities as the firm’s next UK chief, a plan which will focus both domestic and international strategic expansion. Millar’s plans for global development come as CMS Hasche Sigle has launched a new office in Iran, the making it the first international firm to do so.

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A safe bet – charting the rise of private equity in Africa

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Africa’s economic transformation has made it a key target for globe-trotting private equity houses. Can the continent pay out for the lengthening queue of investors?

For the private equity (PE) community, where risk and return are uneasy bedfellows, Africa represents less of a gamble. Given the continent’s increasing political stability and steady economic growth, the stakes are becoming stacked progressively in the sponsors’ favour. Not so long ago, investors’ bets were as safe as buying a handful of lottery tickets.

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North Africa round table – Through the gate

With North Africa becoming a regional hub for international clients doing business on the continent, we teamed up with Bennani & Associés to debate the practicalities of servicing clients in Algeria and Morocco.

For the avoidance of doubt, Africa is not a single market for international firms to crack. Not only is it a continent comprising 54 distinct legal jurisdictions, but there are also numerous entry points for global legal service providers to service their clients.

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